Advanced Life Skills

Course Fee: $459 (Canadian currency)

The aim of this course is to empower the individual through acquiring the skills needed to deal with challenges and to succeed in their lives and relationships. Thus it explores and teaches problem-resolution skills, communication skills and assertiveness skills. It also looks at personal values, our personality, and the role of emotional intelligence. It is particularly suited to counsellors, educators and to those who work with youth, or with young adults. Furthermore, the course includes a number of assessment tools to enhance self-awareness and self-understanding

There is no prior knowledge or experience required to embark on this rewarding certificate course. You are free to commence at a time that suits your schedule – and continue at your pace for a period of six months. Full tutor support is provided for this course.

Note: The Online Counselling College uses a person-centred approach, and Egan’s The Skilled Helper Model.

SYLLABUS

Module 1: The Search for Identity

Topics Studied

• The Influence of the Conscious and Unconscious Mind
• Understanding attachment relationships
• Cultural awareness questionnaire
• What’s your personality?
• Personality questionnaire
• Identifying our love language

Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives

Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:

• Outline the influence of the conscious and unconscious mind
• Assess “The 5 Factor Theory of Personality”
• Identify their personal love language

Module 2: The Fundamental Role of Values

Topics Studied

• Core Value 1: Personal Identity
• Core Value 2: Achievement
• Core Value 3: Attachment and Intimacy
• Core Value 4: Self-expression, Play and Creativity
• Core Value 5: The Search for Meaning
• Core Value 6: Giving and Serving

Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives

Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:

• Describe Core Values 1 & 2: Personal identity and achievement
• Discuss Core Values 3 & 4: Attachment and intimacy; and self-expression, play and creativity
• Illustrate Core Values 5 & 6: The search for meaning; and giving and serving

Module 3: The Role of Emotional Intelligence

Topics Studied

• What is emotional intelligence?
• How do you rate on emotional intelligence?
• Self-awareness
• Self-regulation
• Motivation
• Empathy
• Social Skills

Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives

Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:

• Explain what the term self-awareness means
• Outline the importance of self-regulation
• Demonstrate the importance of conveying empathy

Module 4: Effective Communication Skills

Topics Studied

• Understanding the communication process
• The key components in non-verbal communication
• Developing effective listening skills
• Perception management
• Creating a positive impression
• Traits that contaminate relationships

Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives

Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:

• Describe the key elements associated with non-verbal communication
• Apply effective listening skills
• Appraise traits that contaminate communication, and relationships, with others

Module 5: Effective Conflict Resolution Skills

Topics Studied

• What is conflict?
• The five main causes of conflict
• Some typical responses to dealing with a conflict
• Understanding five common conflict styles
• Essential conflict resolution skills

Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives

Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:

• Describe some typical responses to dealing with a conflict
• List five common conflict styles
• Summarise the key conflict resolution skills

Module 6: Appropriate Assertiveness

Topics Studied

• What is assertiveness?
• Responding in a passive or a non-assertive way
• The role of self-esteem
• Responding in an aggressive way
• Handling aggression in others
• Responding with appropriate assertiveness
• Some general assertiveness techniques

Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives

Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:

• Provide a definition for assertiveness
• Relate self-esteem and assertiveness
• Suggest ways of handling aggression in others

Suggested textbook for the course (to be purchased by the student)

Pool, L.D., & Qualter, P. (Eds.) (2018). An introduction to emotional intelligence. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell.